Maryland men's basketball tabbed one team that could make a jump in 2026-27

Jul 28

2 min read

After a 12-win season, the question is whether Maryland men's basketball has enough to avoid anything close to the 2025-26 regular season that ended in the lowest winning percentage in program history.

The mix of additions through the transfer portal and high school ranks are reason for the added optimism ahead of 2026-27 with portal guards Bishop Boswell and DJ Wagner joined by forward Tomislav Buljan in the frontcourt and former top-ten prospect Baba Oladotun on the wing. The addition of Robert Jennings adds experience to the rotation at the four with Buljan a possibility to play sparringly at the five behind Pharrel Payne, who is officially back for year two, while the arrival of Maban Jabriel adds a high-upside wing to the roster. Mike McNair, Austin Brown and Kaden House will look to add to the three-point shooting that was inconsistent in 2025-26.

ESPN agreed that the pieces could be in place for head coach Buzz Williams to make the year two jump that we've seen over his career after Maryland was one of ten programs and four teams in the Big Ten who could make a jump in 2026-27.

"Why the optimism now? The Terps had a strong transfer portal season, brought back Pharrel Payne and Andre Mills, and also welcomed top-ten recruit Babatunde Oladotun," Jeff Borzello wrote.

Some of the debate has shifted to who will round out the starting five with DJ Wagner expected to take over at point guard, Pharrel Payne back at center with Buljan rounding out the frontcourt and Oladotun on the wing. Bishop Boswell and Andre Mills will look to answer that question through the rest of the offseason, but Maryland will get a chance to evaluate just how ready they are during the non-conference slate.

"You can like somebody off the court, but you could also not be compatible with them on the court, or you can not like somebody at all off the court, and then be compatible with them on the court," Andre Mills said of the make of the current team.

Despite a lackluster home slate until the start of conference play, Maryland officially announced its Dec. 19 matchup vs. South Carolina at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, while early November matchups against both Georgetown and Virginia coupled with the Players Era 16 giving plenty of juice to the overall schedule.

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